The music lessons in Jade class have seen children learn about body percussion. However, they have learned a lot more than how to make the music! They have learned how to layer different musical sounds, alter the dynamics/volume, loop their melody and structure their performance so that the different layers performed at different times throughout the piece.

What was really amazing was how the children were keen to step up with their friends and perform their pieces together. They then critiqued each other by awarding points to each group just like in Eurovision with one point each for texture, dynamics, structure and looped melody.

Finally, the way the children respectfully critiqued each other, listened to reasons and encouraged each other shows a commitment to Articles 12 (Respect Views of the child) and 13 (Freedom of Expression) of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

It’s been a full day of activities for the intrepid explorers from Y4.

Activity 1: The Three Rocks Walk

We saw some real life example of our learning in class as our guide from the YHA took us to see fossils, rivers and up Mam Tor.

Activity 2: Treak Cliff Cavern

The cave was wonderful with our guide showing us all Blue John worth millions of pounds and natural phenomena stalagmites and stalactites. In fact some were so close to meeting in the middle that we could see a stalagmite and stalactite join if we come back in 1200 years.

Evening Activity: Bingo and Gem Panning

The evening was very relaxing as we looked for gems hidden in the sand like old miners of Castleton.

Unfortunately, the millions of pounds of Blue John will be remaining underground and not joining us on our trip home tomorrow.

In our English lessons we have been learning about Elizabeth Cotton and her extraordinary musical abilities. In the early 1900’s in North Carolina she learned to play her brother’s right handed guitar as a left handed child. All self taught and described in the book as being upside down and backwards.

What our students did was spend some lessons studying what we know about “Libba” and then bringing that to life in a dramatic performance for the class.

The children decided that to be successful they needed loud clear voices, to cooperate, join in and finally be brave to act out the actions of the book. They were brave indeed and they showed that they really are able to bring books and stories to life by remembering to play their imaginary guitars upside down and backwards.

When celebrating learning this week Jade Class has recognised the amazing writing and and mathematical abilities of students during their day to day learning.

The writing has been amazing because children have been writing information texts by recalling facts and then organising it in a methodical way for others to read. The information text was about Slavery because of its influence the heroine of our story of study; Elizabeth Cotton.

It has also been Maths Week in England and the special recognition was for children’s amazing contributions during the shared investigations, participation in Math Fit activities and their extra curricular participation in the TT Rockstars competition.

Congratulations.

This term’s History learning is all about Ancient Egypt. After discovering how successful this ancient civilisation was. Jade Class analysed the sources of information from which we learn about the past including the primary sources of historical artefacts.

The class were fascinated by the way these artefacts had found their way around the world and considered together if everyone’s voices were being heard when discussing this topic of returning them to their original places. Therefore, we made sure to consider both sides of the argument and held a topical debate about if these artefacts should be returned to their country of origin.

• Children first explored the for and against arguments from the perspective of the original country and the museums the artefacts are housed in.
• They then took to the stand in a mock courtroom to listen to the arguments.
• Finally, a verdict was reached.

The result was linked to our friendship learning during Anti Bullying Week and it was decided that in order to remain friends perhaps the two sides should compromise and share.

It’s Math Week in England and we have been celebrating it in Jade Class with some interactive investigations, math games and math linked work in other subjects.

Our Math investigations have been interactive allowing children to continue their exploration of shapes while a partner hid their eyes. They then described the shapes for a partner to draw developing their ordinal language to make sure the picture was created in the correct steps.

Across the curriculum and Math has influenced our active time with Math Fit sessions and even in our Book Talk lessons when studying Math influenced stories such as Where’s Albert. That’s a lot of Math and it’s still only Tuesday.

The week got off to a bright start because Jade children began D&T project by learning about electrical circuits in preparation for making their very own torches.

The children built their own circuits by concentrating on creating a switch and testing the best materials that will conduct the electricity to make the circuit complete. New vocabulary was also learned such as the difference between electrical and electronic equipment, insulators and conductors.

Here are some star learners from this weeks in Jade Class.

They have had an extraordinary week by leading learning in class with an effort and an attitude that has been noticed by children, staff and visitors such as the French teacher Mr Barthelemy.

They have made an excellent effort making lots of progress and being amazingly keen to join in and answer questions. They have been a detective during our Math class investigations and checking their work.

Sheffield United Women v London City Lionesses at Bramall Lane on Sunday 20th November at 2pm

Sheffield United Women are playing all their home games in the Barclays Women’s Championship at Bramall Lane this season and are hoping to set a new attendance record at their fixture against London City Lionesses.

We would like you to choose from the following ideas and enter the competition for your chance to win a pair of free tickets.

You could:

·         Design a poster promoting the fixture

·         Design your own shirt for Sheffield United Women

·         Make a new crest for Sheffield United Women

·         Design or make a mascot for Sheffield United Women

·         Design or make a flag for Sheffield United Women

Please hand your competition entries into your class teacher with your full name on the back by Wednesday 16th November. A judging panel will decide on the winners.

Good Luck!